Jennifer Pittorino
A group of elderly footpath traders are no longer able to do business in the spot they have been selling fresh fruit and veggies for more than six years, after council told them to move on.
Leeds Street in Footscray has long been the place where a group of pensioner-aged traders of Vietnamese and Chinese heritage would go to sell their homegrown fruit and vegetables.
Sueanne Nguyen is the family member of one of the traders who was told to pack up and go home by City of Maribyrnong council officers.
“The group turned up as per usual on a Saturday morning, to find council officers telling them to go home or face a $500 fine,” she said.
Sueanne said the group has been left sad and confused by the order after a similar occurrence in 2018.
“Council cracked down and started threatening to issue fines, there was resistance from the community and council gave the traders access to an agreed market,” she said.
“They established rules, including having it one day a week, people could sell as long as it was fresh plants and veggies and they did not obstruct people walking.”
Sueanne said council wanted the traders to move to Byron Square, but the group moved back to Leeds Street because there was no shade in the square and it felt exposed.
“Council said they will not consider permits for Leeds Street because they had received complaints from neighbouring businesses regarding occupational health and safety.“
With a growing cost of living crisis, Sueanne said many of the pensioners used their stalls as an opportunity for some extra pocket money.
“They just sell one day a week, they’re making a bit of extra income to support themselves and, above all, it’s that social connection for them.
“My relative has been quite sad. Many of them met each other in this market situation, they’ve become really good friends developing a support network which has been stripped away.
“In addition to the atmosphere of Footscray which is not the same, we have heard many regulars express their disappointment with how quiet it is. It’s like a ghost town now.”
Sueanne hopes the council will by guided by the success of similar footpath trading at the Sunshine Street Market which operates weekly.
Maribyrnong council acting chief executive Patrick Jess said footpath trading is not permitted but council was looking at options for street trading permit system.
“The sale of food that is not prepared in a registered food premises is illegal, as food businesses need to undertake a stringent process to ensure their premises are compliant with hygiene standards and the food they’re preparing is safe,” he said.
“Because we understand our community values this type of trading, we are currently investigating options and any legislative requirements to develop a street trading permit system in the City of Maribyrnong.”
